Gun buyback program collects $20,000, seeks $40,000 more

Donations continue to roll in following Marin's wildly successful gun buyback program, with local agencies, police associations, residents and the Marin Community Foundation chipping in to help out.

Another $41,000 is needed to cover vouchers that were distributed after cash ran out last week, when crowds turned in 827 firearms at five sites across the county. Another 27 weapons were handed over in Mill Valley Monday, even though no cash or vouchers were offered. If the money is not raised, some vouchers will not be redeemed.

District Attorney Ed Berberian said he thinks he'll be able to collect the money needed to redeem all vouchers. "I'm optimistic," he said. "It's going to be pretty close."

The district attorney has sent letters seeking funds to all Marin cities, as well as police associations, and will ask the county Board of Supervisors to step up to the plate to augment the $10,000 that taxpayers already have contributed.

About $20,000 has been collected in the past week alone, most of it from trust funds administered by the Marin Community Foundation, which has funneled a total of $35,000 into the effort, covering more than a third of the program's overall tab. About $40,000 in cash was handed out last week — $200 for semi-automatic guns and rifles, $100 for other firearms — and $60,000 in vouchers.

Among donations this week is $1,000 from the Marin County Deputy Sheriff's Association.

"Removing those 827 firearms from general circulation means there are now 827 fewer opportunities for someone to steal those guns or use them to commit a violent crime," association president Sean McKrell said. "All too often, public safety first responders see first-hand the tragic results of gun violence, and here we've found an opportunity to financially support a program we know will reduce the potential for such tragedies to occur."

McKrell said deputy sheriffs want other public safety associations and "key community stakeholders" to ante up.

Sheriff Robert Doyle, calling the program "an important public safety initiative," said his office will match the association's donation.

"If this buyback effort prevents even one violent gun-related injury or death from occurring, then the money being offered today by the Marin County Deputy Sheriffs' Association and the Marin County Sheriff's Office will have been money very well spent," Doyle said.

Others contributing to the buyback fund include the Tiburon Police Officer's Association, which sent in $250 last week and challenged other law agencies to make a contribution. "We also wanted to let the citizens of Tiburon and Marin know that at any time, they can turn in guns and or ammunition to the Tiburon Police Department (or their local department) with no questions asked," said Tiburon officer Justin Kurland. Among other contributors are the cities of Tiburon and San Rafael, as well as San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips.

Those wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution may write checks payable to Marin County, with a notation on the memo line indicating "gun buyback" program. Mail should be addressed to Marin Civic Center, Gun buyback: Attention Janice Hughes, District Attorney's Office, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130, San Rafael, 94903.